Combustible fuel article and methods of manufacture and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A combustible fuel article includes a base formed of vegetable wax in a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base. When the cardboard strips are ignited, they burn down to the wax base and the wax base provides additional fuel for the wood fire wall burning at a slower rate than the cardboard strips. The combustible fuel article is an all-natural fire starter that is free of petroleum-based products or dangerous chemicals. Methods of manufacturing and using the combustible fuel article are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an all-natural fire starter withimproved burning properties and methods of manufacture in using thesame.

Convenient, easy to light fire starters are known. Typically, such firestarters include large quantities of flammable petroleum-based products.Examples include gasoline, charcoal starter, and like petroleum-basedproducts. These fire starters can be highly volatile and dangerous touse. Also, petroleum-based materials, such as petroleum-based wax, cancreate unpleasant odors when burned.

Other prior art fire starters may contain harmful chemicals such asformaldehyde and arsenic, which are unhealthy for living organisms. Itis preferable to avoid the use of such chemicals for health reasons.

Accordingly, there is a need for an all-natural fire starter whichavoids the use of petroleum and harmful chemical products, is easy tolight and which is also aesthetically appealing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the deficiencies and problems with prior art fire starters,it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto improve upon the state of the art.

Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is toprovide an all-natural fire starter that avoids the use ofpetroleum-based products.

Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a fire starter that is easy and safe to use.

Yet another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a fire starter that is aesthetically pleasing and friendly tothe environment.

Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a method of starting wood fires that kames use of natural andrecycled products.

A still further object, feature or advantage of the present invention isthe provision of a method of manufacturing an all-natural fire starter.

One or more of these and or other objects, features or advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the specification and claimsthat follow.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a combustible fuelarticle is provided for use as a natural fire starter which includes abase formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard stripsdisposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base. Ina preferred form, the vegetable wax is soybean wax and the cardboardstrips are made of recycled cardboard. Fragrances and scented oils mayalso be added to the wax base.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofstarting a wood fire that obviates the need for flammablepetroleum-based products is provided. The method includes using aplurality of wood pieces and a natural combustible fuel article having abase formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard stripsdisposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base.The combustible fuel article is placed near the plurality of woodpieces, and the cardboard strips are ignited to start the fire. Theplurality of cardboard strips burn down to the wax base and the wax baseprovides additional fuel for the wood fire while burning at a slowerrate than the cardboard strips.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of manufacturing acombustible fuel article comprising a base of vegetable wax in aplurality of cardboard strips. The vegetable wax is heated to liquefythe wax. The liquefied vegetable wax is then placed in the mold. Theplurality of cardboard strips are disposed partially into the wax of themold. The wax is allowed to cool and solidify to bind together thecardboard strips. Once the wax has solidified, the wax base can beremoved from the mold, resulting in the completed combustible fuelarticle ready for use. In a preferred form of the invention, thevegetable wax is soy wax and the cardboard is recycled cardboard. Again,a fragrance or scented oil can be added to the wax while liquefied toprovide the desired effect. A color for the wax base can also beselected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combustible fuelarticle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the combustible fuel article taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, illustrating a preferred method ofmanufacturing the preferred combustible fuel article of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view, illustrating a preferred method of using thecombustible fuel article as a fire starter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is now described with respect to variousembodiments. It is to be understood that what is described herein neednot limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Those inthe field having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that thepresent invention has wide application.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the combustible fuelarticle 10 of the present invention. The combustible fuel article 10includes a base 12 of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard strips14 extending partially within the wax base 12 and extending outside ofthe wax base. The wax base 12 binds the cardboard strips 14 together, asshown in FIG. 2.

Although various types of cardboard can be used, recycled cardboard ispreferred because of its eco-friendly attributes. The cardboard strips14 are preferably made from a double-wall or single-wall cardboard thatis not waxed or treated in any way. The cardboard should also be keptdry and reasonably clean with no previous exposure to food or oil, suchas may be present using recycled cardboard from the restaurant industry.

To form the cardboard strips 14, large pieces of cardboard are cut on acombo cross-cut industrial cardboard shredder. Care should be taken tocut the cardboard with the grain of the cardboard so as to preserve thefluting of the cardboard. This helps maintain the strength andresiliency of the cardboard. The grain of the cardboard can bedetermined with reference to the ribs or corrugation in the cardboard.Although the specific size of the cardboard strips 12 may vary fromapplication to application, cardboard strips having the dimensions⅛″×⅛′×4″ have been found suitable for use for most applications. Asufficient length of the cardboard strip 14 should extend beyond the waxbase 12 to ensure that the combustible fuel article 10 can be easily litand the fire sustained until the wax base 12 begins to burn. Havingapproximately 3.5 inches of the cardboard strip 14 extending beyond thewax base 12 has been found suitable.

Various types of vegetable waxes can be used for the wax base 12.However, pillar and votive soy wax is preferred because of the hardnessof the wax. As with the cardboard strips 14, the size of the wax base 12can vary, depending upon the specific fuel needs of the application.However, a base having a height of approximately 1.5 inches and adiameter of approximately 1 inch has been found suitable for mostapplications. The preferred embodiment of the combustible fuel article10 in FIG. 1 is shown with a base 12 formed as a circular cylinder. Thebase 12 can take on a solid rectangular or other shape as may bepreferable for aesthetic purposes.

Following is a description of the preferred method of manufacturing thecombustible fuel article 10 in FIG. 1. First, the soy wax is heateduntil it becomes liquefied. The liquefied wax is then poured into a mold16 to form the base 12, as shown in FIG. 3. If fragrances, essentialoils or other scented oils are used, they are preferably added while thewax is liquefied and before it is poured into the mold 16. A colorantcan also be added at the same time.

With the wax still in a liquid state in the mold 16, the cardboardstrips 14 are added to the mold 16. The amount and number of cardboardstrips 14 used for each mold 16 is relevant to the size and shape of themold. The cardboard strips 14 should extend outside of the mold 16,above the top surface of the wax base 12. The wax base 12 is thenallowed to cool and solidify. Once the wax base 12 has solidified, thecombustible fuel article 10 is taken out of the mold 16. The resultingfinished product is a combustible fuel article 10 having a solid waxbase 12 from which cardboard (preferably shredded) protrudes out of it.Notably, the wax binds the cardboard strips 14 together into a shape andprovides a base 12 for the combustible fuel article 10 that sustains theburning process, providing additional fuel and burning at a slower ratethan the cardboard strips 14.

To use the combustible fuel article 10 as a fire starter, the user putsthe article 10 next to kindling and wood. The combustible fuel article10 preferably should be leaned against, lying next to or between thewood pieces or fire logs. For best results, the combustible fuel article10 should be angled approximately 45° to 60° from horizontal withcardboard strips positioned beneath the wax base 12, as illustrated inFIG. 4 where the combustible fuel article 10 is shown with wood pieces18. This orientation provides a better ignition and a better burningsequence of the combustible fuel article 10. The wood should includesmall pieces, such as pieces of kindling. The protruding portions of thecardboard strips 14 are ignited with fire by a match or other lighter.The cardboard strips 14 catch on fire and continue to burn. As thecardboard strips 14 burn, they start on fire the remainder of the woodintended to burn. The wax base 12 eventually becomes ignited andactually sustains the fire long enough to allow the neighboring wood tocatch on fire.

Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure willappreciate that the exemplary combustible fuel article 10 describedherein provides a natural and earth friendly product, which can make useof renewable vegetable material, such as soybean wax, and recycledcardboard material. No additional harmful chemicals need be added tocreate the product, and no carbon monoxide or toxic fumes are releasedinto the environment when the combustible fuel article 10 burns.

The combustible fuel article 10 can be used in a dwelling in a fireburning fireplace or wood stove that vents to the outside. It can alsobe used outdoors in fireplaces, campfires, bonfires, firepits,chimnerias and the like.

The present invention has been disclosed, including its various aspectsrelating to a new combustible fuel article and methods of manufacturerand use thereof. The present invention contemplates numerous options,variations, and alternatives, and should not be limited to the detailsof the embodiments set forth herein.

1. A combustible fuel article for use as a natural fire starter,comprising: a base formed of vegetable wax; and a plurality of cardboardstrips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of thebase.
 2. The combustible fuel article of claim 1 wherein the vegetablewax is soybean wax.
 3. The combustible fuel article of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of cardboard strips are made of a recycled cardboard. 4.The combustible fuel article of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofcardboard strips are made of a single-wall or a double-wall cardboard.5. The combustible fuel article of claim 1 wherein the base having a topend and a bottom end and the plurality of cardboard strips extendingbeyond the top end of the base.
 6. The combustible fuel article of claim5 wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are bound together by thebase.
 7. The combustible fuel article of claim 1 wherein the basefurther comprises a fragrance material.
 8. The combustible fuel articleof claim 1 wherein the fragrance material is a scented oil.
 9. Thecombustible fuel article of claim 8 wherein the scented oil is anessential oil.
 10. The combustible fuel article of claim 1 wherein thebase is free of a petroleum-based material.
 11. The combustible fuelarticle of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a colorant.
 12. Amethod of starting a wood fire that obviates the need for flammablepetroleum-based materials, the method comprising: providing a pluralityof wood pieces; providing a natural combustible fuel article comprisinga base formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard stripsdisposed partially with the base and extending outside of the base;positioning the combustible fuel article near the plurality of woodpieces; and igniting at least one of the plurality of cardboard strips;wherein the plurality of cardboard strips burn down to the base and thebase provides additional fuel for the wood fire while burning at aslower rate than the cardboard strips.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are bound together by thebase.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the base having a top end and abottom end and the plurality of cardboard strips extending beyond thetop end of the base.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the vegetablewax is soybean wax.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the plurality ofcardboard strips are made of a recycled cardboard.
 17. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the combustible fuel article is positioned with thebase above the plurality of cardboard strips.
 18. A method ofmanufacturing a combustible fuel article, comprising: providing avegetable wax in solid form; providing a plurality of cardboard strips;heating the vegetable wax to liquify the wax; placing the liquefiedvegetable wax in a mold; placing the plurality of cardboard stripspartially into the wax in the mold; allowing the wax to cool andsolidify to bind together the plurality of cardboard strips; andremoving the wax with the plurality of cardboard strips from the mold.19. The method of claim 18 wherein the plurality of cardboard strips areprovided by shredding a piece of recycled cardboard.
 20. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the vegetable wax is soybean wax.
 21. The method ofclaim 18 further comprising adding a fragrance material to the wax whileliquefied.